Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine designed to uniformly and rapidly supply wash water into a drum through a drive shaft. The washing machine comprises a cabinet, a tub supported in the cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry, a spider mounted to the drum, a drive shaft connected to the spider to rotate the drum, at least one lifter mounted on an inner surface of the drum, and a water supply path formed to allow wash water to be supplied into the drum after passing through the drive shaft, the spider, the drum and the lifter. After sequentially passing through the drive shaft, the spider, the drum and the lifter, the wash water is then injected into the drum from the lifter, so that the wash water is rapidly and uniformly supplied to laundry, thereby enhancing washing and rinsing performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine designed to supply wash water into a drum through a drive shaft.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, washing machines are used to remove contaminants adhered to laundry such as clothes and bedclothes contained in a drum through interaction between water and detergent. Washing machines may be classified into an agitator type washing machine, a pulsator type washing machine, and a drum type washing machine.

The agitator type washing machine is adapted to wash laundry by rotating a washing rod protruded at the center of the drum right and left. The pulsator type washing machine is adapted to wash the laundry using a frictional force between the laundry and a water stream formed by rotating a disk-shaped pulsator provided to a lower portion of a tub right and left. The drum type washing machine is adapted to wash the laundry by rotating a drum having a plurality of lifters protruded from an inner surface thereof after supplying water, detergent, and the laundry into the drum.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inner structure of a conventional washing machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional washing machine comprises a cabinet 2, a tub 10 installed in the cabinet 2 for containing wash water w, a drum 6 rotatably disposed within the tub 10 for containing laundry m, a drive shaft 8 passing through the tub 6 for rotating the drum 6, a driving unit 10 for rotating the drive shaft 8, a water supply device 16 for supplying the wash water w into the tub 4, and a drainage device 14 for draining contaminated wash water w from the tub 4 to the outside.

With the conventional washing machine constructed as described above, the wash water w is supplied into the tub 6 through the water supply device 12 to be contained in a lower portion of the tub 6, and is then supplied into the drum to soak into the laundry m. Then, as the drum 6 is rotated within the tub 5, the laundry m is moved in the drum 6, and is washed or rinsed.

After washing or rinsing the laundry m, contaminated wash water w is drained from the tub 4 to the outside of the washing machine through the drainage device 14.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to enhance washing performance or rinsing performance, the washing machine may further comprise a circulation device 14 which pumps the wash water w from the tub 4 to a front upper side of the drum 6, and then injects the wash water w into the drum.

However, since a flow path of the conventional washing machine through which the wash water w is pumped to the front upper side of the drum 6 has a long distance, causing an increase of flow resistance therein, it is difficult to rapidly inject a great amount of wash water w into the tub.

Additionally, since the wash water w is injected from the front upper side of the drum 6 into the drum, a non-injected region A can be generated in the tub, causing the wash water not to be uniformly injected over the laundry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine, designed to allow wash water to be rapidly and uniformly supplied to laundry, thereby enhancing washing and rinsing performance.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub supported in the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry; a spider mounted to the drum; a drive shaft connected to the spider to rotate the drum; at least one lifter mounted on an inner surface of the drum; and a water supply path formed to allow wash water to be supplied into the drum after passing through the drive shaft, the spider, the drum and the lifter.

The washing machine may further comprise a water supply valve; a water supply hose connected to the water supply valve to guide the wash water passing through the water supply valve; a detergent barrel equipped to allow the wash water passing through the water supply hose to pass therethrough; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water passing through the detergent barrel to the water supply path.

The washing machine may further comprise a water draining path equipped to drain the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the water supply path.

The washing machine may further comprise a sealing member equipped to prevent leakage between the water supply path and the guide path.

The washing machine may further comprise a plurality of bearings equipped to support the drive shaft; a water supply valve; a water supply hose connected to the water supply valve to guide the wash water passing through the water supply valve; a detergent barrel equipped to allow the wash water passing through the water supply hose to pass therethrough; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water passing through the detergent barrel to a gap between the plurality of bearings such that the wash water is guided into the gap between the bearings, and then flows into the water supply path.

The washing machine may further comprise a plurality of bearings equipped to support the drive shaft; a water draining path equipped to drain the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to a gap between the plurality of bearings such that the wash water is guided into the gap between the bearings, and then flows into the water supply path.

The washing machine may further comprise a sealing member equipped to a rear-side bearing among the plurality of bearings to prevent the wash water guided to the gap between the bearings from being leaked therethrough.

The lifter may be provided with an injection nozzle to inject the wash water supplied to the water supply path into the drum.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine is provided, comprising: a cabinet; a tub supported in the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry; a drive shaft equipped to rotate the drum and having a water supply path formed therein to communicate with an inner portion of the drum; and a circulation device to circulate wash water to the water supply path such that the wash water in the tub is supplied into the drum after passing through the water supply path.

The drum may be formed with a through-hole communicated with the water supply path.

The drive shaft may have a hollow space in which the water supply path is formed in a longitudinal direction.

The circulation device may comprise a water draining path equipped to guide the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the water supply path.

The washing machine may further comprise a sealing member equipped to prevent leakage between the water supply path and the guide path.

The drum or the drive shaft may be equipped with an injection nozzle for injecting the wash water supplied to the water supply path into the drum.

The washing machine may further comprise a spider mounted to the drum and connected to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft passes through the spider.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine is provided, comprising: a cabinet; a tub supported in the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry; a drive shaft connected to rotate the drum; a plurality of bearings equipped to support the drive shaft; a water supply path formed in the drive shaft so as to be communicated with a gap between the plurality of bearings and with an inner portion of the drum; and a circulation device to circulate wash water to the gap between the plurality of bearings such that the wash water in the tub is supplied into the drum after sequentially passing through the gap between the bearings and the water supply path.

The drum may be formed with a through-hole communicated with the water supply path.

The water supply path of the drive shaft may have an inlet formed around the gap between the plurality of bearings, and an outlet formed towards the drum.

The washing machine may further comprise a sealing member equipped to a rear-side bearing among the plurality of bearings to prevent the wash water guided to the gap between the bearings from being leaked therethrough.

The circulation device may comprise a water draining path equipped to guide the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the gap between the bearings.

The drum or the drive shaft may be equipped with an injection nozzle for injecting the wash water supplied to the water supply path into the drum.

The washing machine may further comprise a spider mounted to the drum and connected to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft passes through the spider.

In the washing machine of the invention constructed as described, the wash water sequentially passes through the drive shaft, the spider, the drum and the lifters, and is then injected into the drum from the lifters, so that the wash water is rapidly and uniformly supplied to the laundry, thereby enhancing washing and rinsing performance.

Additionally, in the washing machine of the invention, the wash water is injected from an inner peripheral surface of the drum towards the center of the drum, thereby minimizing the non-injected region where the wash water is not injected, and allowing the wash water to uniformly soak into the laundry.

Additionally, in the washing machine of the invention, the wash water is pumped up to about a half of the total height of the drum, so that the pumping height of the wash water and the resistance of the flow paths are minimized, thereby allowing a great amount of wash water to be rapidly circulated.

Additionally, in the washing machine of the invention, the wash water in the tub is supplied into the drum after passing through the drive shaft via the circulation device, thereby simplifying the structure of the washing machine.

Additionally, in the washing machine of the invention, the wash water is radially injected in all directions from an inner center of the drum towards the peripheral surface of the drum, so that the non-injected region is minimized and the wash water uniformly soaks into the laundry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of a conventional washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of the washing machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of a washing machine in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of the washing machine in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of a washing machine in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetitious descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

FIG. 2 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the washing machine according to the first embodiment comprises: a cabinet 50 defining an appearance of the washing machine; a tub 60 supported in the cabinet 50; a drum 76 rotatably disposed within the tub 60 for containing laundry m; a spider 80 mounted to the drum 76; a drive shaft 86 connected to the spider 80 to rotate the drum 76; and at least one lifter 90 mounted on an inner surface of the drum 76, wherein the drive shaft 86, the spider 80, the drum 76, and the lifter 90 are formed therein with water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, respectively, such that wash water w can be supplied into the drum 76 after sequentially passing through the drive shaft 86, the spider 80, the drum 76, and the lifter 90.

The cabinet 50 comprises a base plate 52, a cabinet body 54 located on the base plate 52, a top cover 56 located on an upper surface of the cabinet body 54, and a cabinet cover 58 located at the front side of the cabinet 54.

A control panel 57 for controlling the washing machine is located on the top cover 56 or on the cabinet cover 58.

The cabinet cover 58 is formed with a laundry entrance 58 a.

A door 59 is hingably connected to the cabinet cover 58 to open/close the laundry entrance 58 a.

The tub 60 is a cylindrical barrel located horizontally or slanted a predetermined angle. The tub 60 is hung from a spring 61 connected to the cabinet body 54 while being bufferably supported by a damper 62 connected to the base plate 52.

The tub 60 is formed at the center of a front side thereof with an opening 63 through which the laundry m is placed in or withdrawn from the tub 60, and is connected at one side of a lower portion of the tub to a drainage device 64 for draining wash water from the tub to the outside.

The drainage device 64 comprises a drainage bellows 65 connected to the tub 60, a drainage pump 66 for pumping the wash water flowing through the drainage bellows 65, and a drainage hose 67 for guiding the wash water w from the drainage bellows 65 to the outside of the washing machine.

Meanwhile, the tub 60 is equipped with a driving unit 70 for rotating the drive shaft 86.

The driving unit 70 is constructed of a motor mounted on a rear side of the tub 60 and having a drive shaft 86 equipped thereto such that the driving unit 70 directly rotates the drum through the drive shaft 86. Alternatively, the driving unit 70 comprises a motor mounted to a lower surface of the tub 60, a driving pulley connected to a rotating shaft of the motor, a driven pulley connected to the drive shaft 86, and a belt wound around the driving pulley and the driven pulley, such that the driving unit rotates the drum via the belt and the drive shaft 86. The following description will be limited to the case where the driving unit is constructed of the motor having the drive shaft 86 equipped thereto.

The motor 70 comprises a stator 71 fixed to the rear side of the tub 60, a rotor 72 rotated by electromagnetic force generated between the rotor 72 and the stator 71, and the drive shaft 86 connected to the rotor 72.

As with the tub 60, the drum 76 is a cylindrical barrel disposed horizontally or slanted a predetermined angle. The drum 76 has an opening 77 formed at the center of a front side such that the laundry m or the wash water is placed into the drum, and a plurality of through holes 78 formed on a peripheral surface or a rear side thereof such that the wash water w flows into or from the drum therethrough.

The drum 76 is formed with the water supply path 79 communicated with the water supply path 85 of the spider 80 while being communicated with the water supply path 91 of each lifter 90.

The water supply path 79 of the drum 76 is provided as a hole formed on a rear side of the drum 76 so as to be located between an outlet of the water supply path 85 of the spider 80 and an inlet of the water supply path 91 of the lifter 90 on the rear side of the drum 76.

The spider 80 comprises shaft fixing members 82 to which the drive shaft 86 is fixed, and drum fixing members 84, each being protruded radially from the shaft fixing member 82 and fixed to the drum 76 by a fixing means including a fastener.

The spider 80 has at least two shaft fixing members 82.

The spider 80 has the water supply path 85 communicated at the center thereof with the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86, and at outer ends with the water supply path 79 of the drum 76.

The water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86 has a hollow pipe shape.

The lifter 90 is protrusively mounted on an inner peripheral surface of the drum 76 so as to raise and drop the laundry m in the drum 76.

The lifter 90 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 76 in a longitudinal direction.

The washing machine preferably comprises a plurality of lifters 90 spaced circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 76.

Each lifter 90 has the water supply path 91 communicated with the water supply path 69 of the drum 76 while being communicated with the inner portion of the drum 76.

The lifter 90 is provided with at least one injection nozzle 92 through which the wash water w supplied into the water supply path 91 is injected into the drum 76.

Preferably, the lifter 90 has a plurality of injection nozzles 92.

The injection nozzles 92 are preferably formed on side surface as well as an upper surface of the lifter 90.

The washing machine of the invention further comprises a water supply device 93 for supplying the wash water to the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, to the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The water supply device 93 comprises a water supply valve 94 for controlling the wash water w supplied to an external hose 94a, a water supply hose 95 connected to guide the wash water w passing through the water supply valve 94, a detergent barrel 96 to which the wash water w passing through the water supply valve 94 flows, and a guide path 97 for guiding the wash water w from the detergent barrel 96 to the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, to the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The water supply hose 95 has one end connected to the water supply valve 94 and the other end connected to the detergent barrel 96.

The guide path 97 is formed by a water supply bellows pipe communicated at one end with the detergent barrel 96 while being communicated at the other end with the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, with the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The washing machine may further comprise a sealing member 98 equipped to prevent leakage between the guide path 96 and the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The sealing member 98 is fixed to the drive shaft 86 or to the motor 70, and is provided with the water supply bellows pipe 97 slidably connected thereto. Alternatively, the sealing member 98 may be fixed to the water supply bellows pipe 97, and be slidably connected to the drive shaft 86 or to the motor 70. The following description will be limited to the case where the sealing member 98 is fixed to the drive shaft 86 or to the motor 70, and provided with the water supply bellows pipe 97 slidably connected thereto.

Reference numerals 112 and 116 indicate bearings equipped to the tub 60 to support the drive shaft 82.

Reference numeral 120 indicates a bearing holder equipped to the tub 60 to hold the bearings 112 and 116.

Operation of the washing machine according to the invention will be described as follows.

First, after laundry m is input to the drum 76 and detergent is supplied to the detergent barrel 96, the door 59 is closed, and instructions for a washing or rinsing process and time for the process are selected. The water supply valve 94 is turned on for a predetermined time, and allows a predetermined amount of wash water w to pass therethrough.

Then, the wash water w passes through the water supply valve 94 and the water supply hose 95, and flows into the detergent barrel 96 where the wash water w is combined with detergent. The detergent-dissolved wash water w passes through the detergent barrel 96, and is guided to a rear side of the drive shaft 86 via the water supply bellows pipe 97.

The detergent-dissolved wash water w guided to the rear side of the drive shaft 86 passes through the drive shaft 86 along the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86, passes through the spider 80 along the water supply path 85 of the spider 80, and flows into the water supply path 91 of the lifters 90 along the water supply path 79 of the drum 76.

The detergent-dissolved wash water w flowing into the water supply path 91 of the lifters 90 is injected into the drum 76 through the injection nozzles 92, and soaks into the laundry m.

Then, when the motor 70 is turned on to rotate the drive shaft 86, the spider 80 and the drum 76 rotate together with the drive shaft 86, and the lifters 90 raise the laundry m inside the drum 76. At this time, the laundry m is rotated and then falls due to gravity from an upper portion inside the drum 76, thereby removing contaminants from the laundry m.

Meanwhile, in the washing machine of the invention, when the water supply valve 94 is turned on for a predetermined time during rotation of the drum 76 as described above, the wash water w having passed through the water supply valve 94 sequentially passes through the water supply hose 95, the detergent barrel 96, the water supply bellows pipe 97, the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86, the water supply path 85 of the spider 90, the water supply path 79 of the drum 76, and the water supply path 91 of the lifters 90. Then, the wash water w is injected into the drum 74 through the injection nozzles 92, and strongly collides with the laundry, thereby further enhancing washing force for the laundry m.

After the washing process is performed for the predetermined time as described above, the motor 70 is turned off, and the drainage pump 66 is driven for a predetermined time. Then, contaminated wash water w is drained from the tub 60 to the outside of the washing machine along the drainage bellows pipe 65, the drainage pump 66, and the drainage hose 67.

Next, the washing machine performs the rinsing process for rinsing the laundry m to remove the detergent or suds therefrom.

As with the washing process, when instructions for the rinsing process are input to the washing machine, the water supply valve 94 is turned on for a predetermined time, and allows a predetermined amount of wash water w to pass therethrough. The wash water w flows into the detergent barrel 96 along the water supply hose 95, passes through the detergent barrel 96 without dissolving the detergent, and is guided to the rear side of the drive shaft 86 along the water supply bellows pipe 97.

As with the water supply before the washing process, the wash water w guided to the rear side of the drive shaft 86 is injected into the drum 76 through the injection nozzles 92, and soaks into the laundry m.

Then, as with the washing process, when the motor 70 is turned on to rotate the drive shaft 86, the lifters 90 move the laundry m inside the drum 76, thereby removing the detergent or the suds from the laundry m.

Meanwhile, in the washing machine of the invention, when the water supply valve 94 is turned on for a predetermined time during the rinsing process as described above, that is, during rotation of the drum 76, the wash water w having passed through the water supply valve 94 is injected into the drum 74 as with the washing process, and strongly collides the laundry, thereby further enhancing rising force for the laundry m.

After the rinsing process is performed for the predetermined time as described above, the motor 70 is turned off, and the drainage pump 66 is driven for a predetermined time. Then, the wash water w containing the suds is drained from the tub 60 to the outside of the washing machine along the drainage bellows pipe 65, the drainage pump 66, and the drainage hose 67.

FIG. 4 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of the washing machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the washing machine of the second embodiment comprises a water supply device 93′ for supplying wash water w to a tub 60, and a circulation device 100 for circulating the wash water w such that the wash water w is supplied from the tub 60 into a drum 76 along a water supply path 87 of a drive shaft 86, a water supply path 85 of a spider 80, a water supply path 79 of the drum 76, and a water supply path 91 of a lifter 90 in this sequence. Other constructions and operations thereof are the same as those of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. Thus, the other constructions of the washing machine according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

The water supply device 93′ comprises a water supply valve 94′ equipped to the washing machine for controlling the wash water w supplied to an external hose 94 a′, a water supply hose 95′ connected to guide the wash water w passing through the water supply valve 94′, a detergent barrel 96′ through which the wash water w passing through the water supply hose 95′ passes, and a water supply bellows pipe 97′ connected to the detergent barrel 96′ and the tub 60 to guide the wash water w′ passing through the detergent barrel 96′ to the tub 60.

The water supply hose 95′ is connected at one end to the water supply valve 94′ and connected at the other end to the detergent barrel 96′.

The water supply bellows pipe 97′ is connected at one end to the detergent barrel 96′ and connected at the other end to the tub 60.

The circulation device 100 comprises a water draining path 102 equipped to guide the wash water w from the tub 60 to the outside, a circulation pump 104 equipped to pump the wash water w flowing through the water draining path 102, and a guide path 106 equipped to guide the wash water w pumped by the circulation pump 104 to the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, to the water supply path 87 of a drive shaft 86.

The water draining path 102 is formed by a drainage bellows pipe communicated at one end with a lower portion of the tub 60 while being communicated at the other end with the circulation pump 104.

The guide path 106 is formed by a circulation bellows pipe communicated at one end with the circulation pump 104 while being communicated at the other end with the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, with the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The washing machine may further comprise a sealing member 108 equipped to prevent leakage between the guide path 106 and the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The sealing member 108 is fixed to the drive shaft 86 or to the motor 70, and is provided with the circulation bellows pipe 107 slidably connected thereto. Alternatively, the sealing member 108 may be fixed to the circulation bellows pipe 107, and may be slidably connected to the drive shaft 86 or to the motor 70. The following description will be limited to the case where the sealing member 108 is fixed to the drive shaft 86 or to the motor 70, and provided with the circulation bellows pipe 107 slidably connected thereto.

With the washing machine according to the second embodiment, after laundry m is input into the drum 76 and detergent is supplied to the detergent barrel 96′, a door 59 is closed, and instructions for a washing or rinsing process and time for the process are selected. The water supply valve 94′ is turned on for a predetermined time, and allows a predetermined amount of wash water w to pass therethrough.

Then, the wash water w passes through the water supply valve 94′ and the water supply hose 95′, and flows into the detergent barrel 96′ where the wash water w is combined with detergent. The detergent-dissolved wash water w passes through the detergent barrel 96′, and is supplied into the tub 60 via the water supply bellows pipe 97′.

The detergent-dissolved wash water w supplied into tub 60 flows into the drum 76 via through-holes 78 or an opening 77 of the drum 76, and soaks into the laundry m.

Then, after finishing the water supply as described above or during the water supply, when the circulation pump 104 is driven for a predetermined time, the wash water w in the tub 60 flows to the circulation pump 104 along the drainage bellows pipe 102, pumped to the circulation bellows pipe acting as the guide path 106 by the circulation pump 104, and is then guide to a rear side of the drive shaft 86.

As with the first embodiment, the wash water w pumped to the rear side of the drive shaft 86 passes through the drive shaft 86 along the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86, passes through the spider 80 along the water supply path 85 of the spider 80, and then flows into the water supply path 91 of each lifter 90 along the water supply path 79 of the drum 76.

The detergent-dissolved wash water w in the water supply path 91 of each lifter 90 is injected into the drum 76 through the injection nozzles 92, and rapidly and uniformly soaks into the laundry m.

Then, when the motor 70 is turned on to rotate the drum 76 after supplying or circulating of the wash water w, the lifters 90 of the drum 76 raises the laundry m inside the drum 76 such that the laundry m is rotated and then falls due to gravity from an upper portion inside the drum 76, thereby removing contaminants from the laundry m.

Meanwhile, in the washing machine of the second embodiment, when the circulation pump 104 is driven for a predetermined time during rotation of the drum 76 as described above, the wash water w in the tub 60 is guided to the rear side of the drive shaft 86 along the drainage bellows pipe 102, the circulation pump 104 and the circulation bellows pipe 104. Then, the wash water w sequentially passes through the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86, the water supply path 85 of the spider 90, the water supply path 79 of the drum 76, and the water supply path 91 of each lifter 90. Then, the wash water w is injected into the drum 74 through the injection nozzles 92, and strongly collides with the laundry, thereby further enhancing washing force for the laundry m.

After the washing process is performed for the predetermined time as described above, the motor 70 is turned off, and the drainage pump 66 is driven, so that contaminated wash water w is drained from the tub 60 to the outside of the washing machine along the drainage bellows pipe 65, the drainage pump 66, and the drainage hose 67.

Next, the washing machine of the second embodiment performs a rinsing process for rinsing the laundry m to remove the detergent or suds therefrom.

Since turn-on of the water supply valve 94′, operation of supplying the wash water w, driving of the circulation pump 104, and the circulation of the wash water w are the same as those of the washing process described above, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted below. Meanwhile, after rinsing the laundry m, the wash water w containing the suds is drained from the tub 60 to the outside of the washing machine through the drainage bellows pipe 65, the drainage pump 66, and the drainage hose 67.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of a washing machine in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the washing machine according to the third embodiment comprises a water supply device 93′ for supplying wash water w to a tub, a plurality of bearings 112 and 116 equipped to support a drive shaft 86, and a circulation device 100′ for circulating the wash water w such that the wash water w in the tub 60 is pumped via a gap between the bearings 112 and 116 and is then supplied into the drum 76 along a water supply path 87 of a drive shaft 86, a water supply path 85 of a spider 80, a water supply path 79 of the drum 76, and a water supply path 91 of lifters 90 in this sequence.

The water supply device 93′ of the washing machine according to the third embodiment has the same construction as that of the second embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

Additionally, except for the drive shaft 86, the plurality of bearings 112 and 116, and the circulation device 100′, other constructions and operations of the washing machine according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. Thus, the other constructions are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

The drive shaft 86 has the water supply path 87 which has a plurality of inlets 87 a formed around the gap between the bearings 112 and 116, and an outlet 87 b formed towards the spider 80.

In the drive shaft 86, the plurality of inlets 87 a of the water supply path 87 are spaced circumferentially from each other.

The circulation device 100′ comprises a water draining path 102′ equipped to guide the wash water w from the tub 60 to the outside, a circulation pump 104′ equipped to pump the wash water w flowing through the water draining path 102′, and a guide path 106′ equipped to guide the wash water w pumped by the circulation pump 104′ to the gap between the bearings 112 and 116 such that the wash water w is guided to the gap between the bearings 112 and 116, and is then guided to the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, to the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The water draining path 102′ is formed by a drainage bellows pipe communicated at one end with a lower portion of the tub 60 while being communicated at the other end with the circulation pump 104′.

The guide path 106′ is formed by a circulation bellows pipe communicated at one end with the circulation pump 104′ while being communicated at the other end with the water supply paths 87, 85, 79 and 91, in particular, with the gap between the bearings 112 and 116.

The circulation bellows pipe acting as the guide path 106′ penetrates the tub 60.

The washing machine of the third embodiment may further comprise a sealing member 108′ equipped to a rear-side bearing 116 among the plurality of bearings 112 and 116 in order to prevent leakage of the wash water w.

The plurality of bearings 112 and 116 are mounted to the tub 60 or to the motor 70.

Reference numeral 120 indicates a bearing holder equipped to the tub 60 to hold the bearings 112 and 116.

The bearing holder 120 has a hollow portion in which the drive shaft 86 may be disposed, and has a through-hole communicated with the inlets 87 a of the water supply path 87, and connected at one portion around the through-hole with the guide bellows pipe 106′.

In the washing machine according to the third embodiment, when the circulation pump 104′ is driven, the wash water w in the tub 60 flows to the circulation pump 104′ along the drainage bellows pipe 102′, pumped to the circulation bellows pipe acting as the guide path 106′ by the circulation pump 104′.

The wash water w′ pumped to the circulation bellows pipe acting as the guide path 106′ is pumped to the gap between the bearings 112 and 116, and then flows from the gap into the inlets 87 a of the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

As with the second embodiment, the wash water w induced into the inlets 87 a of the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86 flows along the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86, the water supply path 85 of the spider 80, the water supply path 79 of the drum 76, and the water supply path 91 of the lifters 90, and is then injected/circulated into the drum 76 through injection nozzles 92.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut perspective view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of the washing machine in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the washing machine of the fourth embodiment comprises: a cabinet 50; a tub 60 supported in the cabinet 50; a drum 76 rotatably disposed within the tub 60 for containing laundry; a drive shaft 86 connected to rotate the drum 76 and having a water supply path 87 communicated with an inner portion of the drum 76; and a circulation device 100 for circulating wash water w such that the wash water w is supplied from the tub 60 into the drum 76 through the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86. The same constructions of the fourth embodiment as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

A water supply device 93′ is connected to the tub 60 for supplying the wash water w into the tub 60, and has the same construction as that of the second embodiment. Detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

A rear side of the drum 76 is formed at the center thereof with a shaft penetrating hole into which the drive shaft 86 is inserted, otherwise with a through-hole 76 a communicated with the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86. The following description will be limited to the case where the through-hole 76 a is formed at the center of the rear side of the drum 76.

The rear side of the drum 76 is mounted with a spider 80 connected to the drive shaft 86 such that the drive shaft 86 pass through the spider 80.

As with the first embodiment, the spider 80 comprises a shaft fixing member 82 to which the drive shaft 86 is fixed, and at least two drum fixing members 84, each being protruded radially from the shaft fixing member 82 and fixed to the drum 76 by a fixing means including a fastener.

The center of the shaft fixing member 82 is formed with the shaft penetrating hole 83 which the drive shaft 86 penetrates.

The washing machine of the fourth embodiment comprises an injection nozzle 98 equipped to the rear side of the drum 76 or to a leading end of the drive shaft 82 to inject the wash water w guided to the water supply path 80 into the drum 76.

It is desirable that, when the leading end of the drive shaft 82 penetrates the center of the rear side of the drum 76, the injection nozzle 98 be equipped to the leading end of the drive shaft 82, and that, when the drum 76 is formed with the through-hole 76 a, the injection nozzle 98 be equipped to an inner surface of the rear side of the drum 76.

The injection nozzle 98 has a plurality of injection holes 99 formed on a front surface of the injection nozzle and on a peripheral surface thereof in order to uniformly inject the wash water in all directions within the drum.

The injection nozzle 98 preferably has a semi-circular shape in order to prevent the laundry m from being damaged thereby, and is communicated with the through-hole 76 a of the drum 76.

The circulation device 100 of the fourth embodiment has the same construction as that of the second embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The washing machine of the fourth embodiment further comprises a sealing member 108 equipped to prevent leakage between the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86 and the guide bellows pipe 106 of the circulation device 100. The sealing member 108 of the fourth embodiment has the same construction as that of the second embodiment, and thus the descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the washing machine of the fourth embodiment, when a circulation pump 104 of the circulation device 100 is driven, the wash water w in the tub 60 is guided to the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86 along a drainage bellows 102, the circulation pump 104, and the guide bellows pipe 106, as with the second embodiment.

The wash water w′ guided to the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86 flows to the rear side of the drum 76, and passes through the through-hole 76 a of the drum 76. Then, the wash water flows into the injection nozzle 98, and is uniformly injected in all directions within the drum 76.

As a result, the wash water w spreads in the drum 76, and uniformly soaks into the laundry.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner structure of a washing machine in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the washing machine of the fifth embodiment comprises: a cabinet 50; a tub 60 supported in the cabinet 50; a drum 76 rotatably disposed within the tub 60 for containing laundry; a drive shaft 86 connected to rotate the drum 76; a plurality of bearings 112 and 116 equipped to support the drive shaft 86; a water supply path 87 formed in the drive shaft 86 so as to be communicated with an inner portion of the drum 76 and with a gap between the plurality of bearings 112 and 116; and a circulation device 100′ for circulating wash water w to the gap between the bearings 112 and 116 such that the wash water w is supplied from the tub 60 into the drum 76 after sequentially passing through the gap between the plurality of bearings 112 and 116 and the water supply path 87. The same constructions of the fifth embodiment as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

A water supply device 93′ is connected to the tub 60 for supplying the wash water w into the tub 60, and has the same construction as that of the second embodiment. Detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

As with the fourth embodiment, a rear side of the drum 76 is formed at the center thereof with a shaft penetrating hole into which the drive shaft 86 is inserted, otherwise with a through-hole 76 a communicated with the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The rear side of the drum 76 is mounted with a spider 80 connected to the drive shaft 86 such that the drive shaft 86 passes through the spider 80. The construction of the spider 80 is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

The washing machine of the fifth embodiment comprises an injection nozzle 98 which is equipped to the rear side of the drum 76 or a leading end of the drive shaft 82 to inject the wash water w guided to the water supply path 80 into the drum 76. The injection nozzle 98 of the washing machine according to the fifth embodiment has the same construction as that of the fourth embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

The circulation device 100′ has the same construction as that of the third embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The washing machine of the fifth embodiment further comprises a sealing member 108′ equipped to prevent leakage between the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86 and the guide bellows pipe 106 of the circulation device 100′. The sealing member 108′ of the washing machine according to the fifth embodiment has the same construction as that of the third embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the washing machine of the fifth embodiment, when a circulation pump′ 104 of the circulation device 100′ is driven, the wash water w flows from the tub 60 to the circulation pump 104′ through the drainage bellows pipe 102′, and is then pumped to the guide bellows pipe 106′ by the circulation pump 104′.

Then, the wash water w′ is pumped to the gap between the bearings 112 and 116, and is then induced into inlets 87 a of the water supply path 87 of the drive shaft 86.

The wash water w′ induced into the inlets 87 a of the water supply path 87 flows to the rear side of the drum 76, and is discharged through an outlet 87 b of the water supply path 87. Thereafter, the wash water w flows into the injection nozzle 98 through the through-hole 76 a of the drum 76, and is uniformly injected in all directions within the drum 76 through injection holes 99 of the injection nozzle 98.

As a result, the wash water w spreads in the drum 76, and uniformly soaks into the laundry.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the water supply device 93 of the first embodiment may supply the wash water w to the gap between the bearings 112 and 116 of the third embodiment. Additionally, the drainage device 64 may be diverged from the circulation device 100 so as to allow the wash water passing through a portion of the circulation device 100 to be drained to the outside of the washing machine.

The washing machine according to the invention has the following advantages.

First, in the washing machine according to the invention, wash water sequentially passes through the drive shaft, the spider, the drum and the lifters, and is then injected into the drum from the lifters, so that the wash water is rapidly and uniformly supplied to laundry, thereby enhancing washing and rinsing performance.

Second, in the washing machine according to the invention, the wash water is injected from an inner peripheral surface of the drum towards the center of the drum, thereby minimizing a non-injected region where the wash water is not injected, and allowing the wash water to uniformly soak into the laundry.

Third, in the washing machine according to the invention, the wash water is pumped up to about a half of the total height of the drum, so that the pumping height of the wash water and resistance of the flow paths are minimized, thereby allowing a great amount of wash water to be rapidly circulated.

Fourth, in the washing machine according to the invention, the wash water in the tub is supplied into the drum after passing through a drive shaft via a circulation device, thereby simplifying the structure of the washing machine.

Fifth, in the washing machine according to the invention, the wash water is radially injected in all directions from an inner center of the drum towards a peripheral surface of the drum, so that the non-injected region is minimized and the wash water uniformly soaks into the laundry.

It should be understood that the embodiments and the accompanying drawings have been described for illustrative purposes and the present invention is limited by the following claims. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are allowed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims. 

1. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub supported in the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry; a spider mounted to the drum; a drive shaft connected to the spider to rotate the drum; at least one lifter mounted on an inner surface of the drum; and a water supply path formed to allow wash water to be supplied into the drum after passing through the drive shaft, the spider, the drum and the lifter.
 2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a water supply valve; a water supply hose connected to the water supply valve to guide the wash water passing through the water supply valve; a detergent barrel equipped to allow the wash water passing through the water supply hose to pass therethrough; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water passing through the detergent barrel to the water supply path.
 3. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a water draining path equipped to drain the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the water supply path.
 4. The washing machine as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a sealing member equipped to prevent leakage between the water supply path and the guide path.
 5. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of bearings equipped to support the drive shaft; a water supply valve; a water supply hose connected to the water supply valve to guide the wash water passing through the water supply valve; a detergent barrel equipped to allow the wash water passing through the water supply hose to pass therethrough; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water passing through the detergent barrel to a gap between the plurality of bearings such that the wash water is guided into the gap between the bearings, and then flows into the water supply path.
 6. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of bearings equipped to support the drive shaft; a water draining path equipped to drain the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to a gap between the plurality of bearings such that the wash water is guided into the gap between the bearings, and then flows into the water supply path.
 7. The washing machine as set forth in claim 6, further comprising: a sealing member equipped to a rear-side bearing among the plurality of bearings to prevent the wash water guided to the gap between the bearings from being leaked therethrough.
 8. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lifter is provided with an injection nozzle to inject the wash water supplied to the water supply path into the drum.
 9. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub supported in the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry; a drive shaft equipped to rotate the drum and having a water supply path formed therein to communicate with an inner portion of the drum; and a circulation device to circulate wash water to the water supply path such that the wash water in the tub is supplied into the drum after passing through the water supply path.
 10. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the drum is formed with a through-hole communicated with the water supply path.
 11. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the drive shaft has a hollow space in which the water supply path is formed in a longitudinal direction.
 12. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the circulation device comprises: a water draining path equipped to guide the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the water supply path.
 13. The washing machine as set forth in claim 12, further comprising: a sealing member equipped to prevent leakage between the water supply path and the guide path.
 14. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein either the drum or the drive shaft is equipped with an injection nozzle for injecting the wash water supplied to the water supply path into the drum.
 15. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: a spider mounted to the drum and connected to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft passes through the spider.
 16. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; a tub supported in the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub for containing laundry; a drive shaft connected to rotate the drum; a plurality of bearings equipped to support the drive shaft; a water supply path formed in the drive shaft so as to be communicated with a gap between the plurality of bearings and with an inner portion of the drum; and a circulation device to circulate wash water to the gap between the plurality of bearings such that the wash water in the tub is supplied into the drum after sequentially passing through the gap between the bearings and the water supply path.
 17. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the drum is formed with a through-hole communicated with the water supply path.
 18. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the water supply path of the drive shaft has at least one inlet formed around the gap between the bearings, and an outlet formed towards the drum.
 19. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, further comprising: a sealing member equipped to a rear-side bearing among the plurality of bearings to prevent leakage of the wash water.
 20. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the circulation device comprises: a water draining path equipped to guide the wash water from the tub to the outside; a circulation pump equipped to pump the wash water flowing through the water draining path; and a guide path equipped to guide the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the gap between the bearings.
 21. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein either the drum or the drive shaft is equipped with an injection nozzle for injecting the wash water supplied to the water supply path into the drum.
 22. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, further comprising: a spider mounted to the drum and connected to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft passes through the spider. 